Dichotomous Key Activity***answer in your notebook

I CAN
Name ______________________ Per____ Date_____________
explain
how living Directions: Find each of the following creatures’ name using the Key To Monsters
things are
classified
based on
their
physical
and
inherited
character-
istics.
Interpret a
dichotomous
key to
identify a Elmer nugent
Ruth ormond 2. ________________
species. 1. ________________

Walter allen
3. __________________

Bob richey
4. __________________

Maud podvin Elton ashmun

7. _________________
5. _________________

Nora outfleet
6. __________________

Stanley raye
8. ___________________

Aqnes stover
10. __________________

Mirtle lethlean
9. ___________________
Identify the family each shark belongs to using the Shark Dichotomous Key below

5 gill slits
Monster Dichotomous Key Name: ________________________P.___Date_____________
In science we use many helping aids to organize and easily retrieve info. This is a dichotomous key activity. A
dichotomous key is a tool that scientists can use to help identify a particular specimen. The specimen could be a
chemical that is identified by its physical properties or an insect identified by its markings and traits, based on its
different properties. The term dichotomous begins with the prefix of " di" which means two. The dichotomous key
allows for the scientist to ask a series of questions with yes or no answers. Each question should be phrased so
that the answer will either be yes or no.
KEY TO MONSTERS I CAN
explain
1. Does it have wheels? how living
things are
A.) Yes ------------------------------------------------go to 2 classified
based on
B.) No--------------------------------------------------go to 4 their
physical
2. Does it have 4 wheels? and
inherited
A.) Yes------------------------------------------------Stanley raye character-
istics.
B.) No-------------------------------------------------go to 3 Interpret a
dichotomous
3. Does it have 2 arms? key to
identify a
A.) Yes------------------------------------------------Agnes stover species.

B.) No-------------------------------------------------Maud podvin

4. Does it have feet with toes?

A.) Yes------------------------------------------------go to 5

B.) No-------------------------------------------------go to 6

5. Does it have ears?

A.) Yes------------------------------------------------Elmer nugent

B.) No-------------------------------------------------Bob richey

6. Does it have tentacles like an octopus?

A.) Yes-------------------------------------------------Ruth ormond

B.) No--------------------------------------------------go to 7

7. Does it have webbed feet like a duck?

A.) Yes-------------------------------------------------go to 8

B.) No--------------------------------------------------go to 9

8. Does it have feathers on its butt?

A.) Yes-------------------------------------------------Myrtle lethlean

B.) No--------------------------------------------------Walter allen

9. Does it have teeth?

A.) Yes-------------------------------------------------Elton ashmun

B.) No--------------------------------------------------Nora outfleet

Shark Dichotomous Key
1. A. Body kitelike in shape (if view from above)……………… ……………………….Go to statement 12
B. Body not kitelike in shape (if view fro above) ……………………………………... Go to statement 2
2. A. Pelvic fin absent and nose sawlike ………………….......................................... Family Pristophoridae
B. Pelvic fin present……………………………………………………………………...Go to statement 3
3. A. Six gill slits present………………………………………………………………..Family Hexanchidae
B. Five gills present…………………………………………………………………..….Go to statement 4
4. A. Only one dorsal fin present……………………………………………………...Family Scyliorhinidae
B. Two dorsal fins present……………………………………………………………….Go to statement 5
5. A. Mouth at the front of the head rather than back along underside of head…….Family Rhinocodontidae
B. Mouth back along underside of head………………………. ………………………..Go to statement 6
6. A. Head expanded on the side with eyes at the end of expansion…………………...…Family Sphyrnidae
B. Head not expanded…………………………………………………………………....Go to statement 7
7. A. Top half of caudal fin exactly same size and shape as bottom half…………………….Family Isuridae
B. Top half of caudal different in size and shape from the bottom half…………………Go to statement 8

8. A. First dorsal fin very long, almost half the length of the total body…………….Family Pseudotriakidae
B. first dorsal fin length much less than the half the total length of body………………Go to statement 9
9. A. Caudal fin very long, almost as long as the entire body……………………………...Family Aloplidae
B. Caudal fin length much less than length of entire body…………………………….Go to statement 10

10. A. Nose with long needlelike point on end…………………………………....Family Scapanorhynchidae

B. Nose without needlelike point………………………………………………………Go to statement 11
11. A. Anal fin absent………………………………………………………………………..Family Squalidae
B. Anal fin present…………………………………………………………………Family Carcharhinidae
12. A. Small dorsal fin present near tip of tail………………...……………………………….Family Rajidae
B. Small dorsal fin absent near tip of tail………………………………………………Go to statement 13
13. A. Hornlike appendages at front of shark.................................................................…...Family Mobulidae
B. Hornlike appendages not present at front of shark…………………………………..Family Dasyatidae
I CAN
identify
Dorsal Side
an first
organism dorsal fin
second
using a
dichotomous
dorsal fin
key.
caudal fin

gill slits
pectoral anal
fin pelvic fin
Ventral side fin